Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, Fourth Edition (10 Volumes) Now 50% Off

Take 50% off when purchasing the Encyclopedia directly through IGI Global's Online Bookstore. Plus, receive the complimentary e-books for the first, second, and third editions with the purchase of the Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, Fourth Edition e-book.

InfoSci®-Journals Annual Subscription Price for New Customers: As Low As US$ 4,950

This collection of over 175 e-journals offers unlimited access to highly-cited, forward-thinking content in full-text PDF and XML with no DRM. There are no platform or maintenance fees and a guarantee of no more than 5% increase annually.

Abstract

This chapter explores the factors impacting small to medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) adoption of broadband. It argues that information and communication technologies (ICTs) are highly differentiated technologies for which there is not necessarily a single adoption model. While most large European companies are connected to broadband, SMEs’ connectivity is lagging behind. The question of why one SME adopts broadband while the other does not is still understudied. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to fill this gap by investigating the technological, organizational, and environmental factors impacting SMEs’ adoption of broadband. This chapter starts by highlighting the importance of ICT innovations adoption in general and broadband in particular. Based on the ICT innovations adoption literature, SMEs’ broadband adoption framework will be developed and empirically validated involving nine SMEs’ key decision makers in the northwest of England. Finally, implications for researchers, practitioners, ICTs’ vendors, and policy makers will be discussed.

Key Terms in this Chapter

Broadband: To qualify as broadband, a service must deliver an “always on” service at rates of more than 128 Kbps (DTI, 2004).

DSL: Digital subscriber line is a technology for bringing high-bandwidth information to homes and small businesses over ordinary telephone lines.

EDI: Electronic data interchange is structured form of data interchange between businesses.

SMEs: Small and medium-sized enterprises. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) differentiates businesses by the number of employees (micro-firm: 0-9 employees, small firm: 10-49 employees, and medium firm: 50-249 employees).

ICTs: Information and communication technologies. A broad term referring to digital technologies such as information networks and software applications as well as telecommunication technologies such as telephony, cable, and satellite.

ADSL: Asymmetric digital subscriber line. This is the most used form of DSL.

ISP: Internet service provider. A company that provides Internet access services to consumers and businesses.